TUC study reveals jobless rise at seaside

Leading seaside resorts are being hit by spiralling unemployment even though
more people are holidaying in this country because of the recession, a new
study by the TUC has revealed.

Research showed that many seaside resorts in England have suffered an above-average increase in unemployment over the last 12 monthsPhoto: ANDREW CROWLEY

7:00AM BST 21 Aug 2009

Areas including Bournemouth, Weston-Super-Mare, Bognor and Minehead have seen unemployment rates double in the past year - and even rise up to 130 per cent - despite the trend for ''staycations'', the organisation said.

Their research showed that many seaside resorts in England have suffered an above-average increase in unemployment over the last 12 months.

Claimant unemployment has soared by 130 per cent in Bournemouth since July 2008, by 122 per cent in Weston-Super-Mare, 113 per cent in Weymouth, 111 per cent on the Isle of Wight, 110 per cent in Minehead and 103 per cent in Bognor Regis, according to the report.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: ''Millions of people are opting to save money during the downturn and have rediscovered what great holidays you can have in the UK.

''However, in spite of this welcome boost to the UK's seaside resorts and tourist industry, unemployment is at crisis level in many of our best-loved traditional English holiday destinations.

''Many seaside towns have made impressive and imaginative efforts to regenerate themselves, and deserve real praise, but even the most ambitious scheme cannot buck the effects of such a deep recession.

"Just as in the rest of the country, a whole generation of young people in seaside towns are finding it almost impossible to make the right start to their working lives.

''We should welcome any signs of economic recovery, but they are very shallow. The economy remains in deep trouble with unemployment still set to carry on rising all through next year.

''Unemployment remains a national emergency. Fighting it, particularly among young people, should be number one priority. Public spending cuts are the last thing we need, and run the risk of sending the economy into an even more serious decline.''

Other seaside resorts have experienced lower percentage increases in claimant levels but still have unemployment rates much higher than the national average, including Southend and Margate, said the TUC.